3. My Neighbor’s Garden in Madison Square Park
There’s a web-like entanglement of hand woven crochet hanging 95 feet in the air in Madison Square Park. Artist, Sheila Pepe, has created her first outdoor exhibition, My Neighbor’s Garden, which opened on June 26 and will be on view until December 10, 2023. The structure features welcoming gateways and canopies in bright tones of pinks, oranges, reds and purples. .The design, created by Pepe in close collaboration with MSPC’s horticulture team, is enchanced by vining plants such as bitter melon and morning glory, which weave around and through the crocheted constructions.
Not only is the structure optimistic, colorful, and unexpected to a park visitor, but it also makes a statement about women’s craft practice and inclusion. The sheer scale of the project required Pepe to recruit and gather small, lively groups of friends and strangers interested in crocheting together to help produce the installation. Crochet sessions with the artist will continue across the summer months in the park as part of a range of public programs.
